It’s been nearly a year since a two-pump Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station was installed at the Hanover Mall and not only is the station used regularly, but National Grid representatives expect the charges to continue stacking up given charted trends and the expanding electric car market.

“It is being used right on pace with what we expected,” said John Gilbrook, transportation project manager for National Grid. “The mall station is up there with some of our more active stations.”

From the station’s installation on Feb. 10 of 2012 until Jan. 1 of this year, the station saw 135 uses with 350 total kilowatt-hours of electricity dispensed. Gilbrook said the first year was marked with ups and downs, which produced an eventual upward trend.

“We saw a huge spike at first,” he said. “Late July had a big hop as well and it is common to have a drop-off in the winter.”

Although the numbers fluctuated last year, Gilbrook said this year has shown a more consistent trend towards increased use. Moreover, he expects the numbers to come in much higher this year than during the station’s first year. He said the trend is clear when looking at the station’s use over last year.

“We can see the information and trend it,” he said. “Last year, over the last six months, frequency [of use] doubled.”

Aside from the upward trend in the numbers, Gilbrook pointed to one other factor which could signify a major uptick in station use.

“Last year, [the station use was] trending up with only two potential vehicles available,” said Gilbrook, referring to the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf. “Several new models are being released this year.”

Gilbrook said he wouldn’t be surprised to see the numbers double this year and expects a significant increase. He referred to 2012 as the “reintroduction” of electric vehicles to the general public and said the opportunity for the station’s use to rise is going to come together.

“People are getting the cars and the prices [for the cars] are starting to trend down,” he said. “People will rediscover the station.”

Ed Callahan, general manager of the Hanover Mall, said there are consistent efforts on the part of mall leadership to bring people to the station.

“We consistently have a message on the Route 3 message board and on the website,” Callahan said. “We’re doing everything we can to bring people in.”

Mall leadership agreed to not only allow National Grid to install the station a year ago but also agreed to foot the bill for the first two years. With that in mind, Callahan said promotions for the station always include this fact: energy charges at the station are free.

Gilbrook said the mall stations have been considered a huge success and, of the 33 stations National Grid currently operates, the mall station is near the top of the list in terms of activity.
He said that, although the station has been busy, National Grid hasn’t had to do very much to maintain it. Also, with the mall under contract through the year, both sides agreed the deal had been mutually beneficial.

“It’s well worth the program,” Callahan said. “Our hope is consumers come into the mall while charging the car outside.”

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